Glasgow 2014: Usain Bolt declares he is ready to feel the heats in his bid for Commonwealth glory

THE world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, arrived in Glasgow yesterday amid much fanfare and the Jamaican sprinter was quick to reassure fans he will be running in the heats and would be competing fiercely for his national side.

USAIN BOLT refused to drape himself in tartan but is adamant he is totally wrapped up in the Glasgow Games.

The circus came to town at the SECC yesterday when the big man strolled off a flight from Jamaica via London and gave the Commonwealth Games the A-list credibility it deserves.

Organisers were playfully teased from the centre of the stage by Mike Fennell, president of the Jamaican Olympic Association, who demanded to know why his main man’s nameplate simply stated ‘Usain Bolt’.

They were chided it should have ‘Doctor’ in front of it, although strictly speaking, Bolt, officially the Ambassador-at-Large for Jamaica and invested with the Order of Distinction, commander class, will not inherit the honorary title from the University of West Indies in his homeland until November.

It was all delightfully light-hearted as Bolt passed up the chance to wear a kilt, telling the reporter holding it aloft: “Red’s not my colour.”

Admittedly, he did look longingly at the Jimmy wig handed to him at the end by MailSport before deciding ginger would also clash with his look as he passed it off to an aide and headed for his new digs, a two-bedroom flat in Dalmarnock.

Bolt had earlier rejected the chance to give his opinion on the Israeli/Palestine conflict while a question about Scottish independence drew a look so blank you would have thought the sprinter had been asked to quote the complete works of Robert Burns.

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Still, when it came to discussing the reason for his appearance – to run for the Jamaican 4x100m relay team at Hampden – he gave an assurance that he was here to compete fiercely, despite minor foot surgery and a hamstring injury earlier this year.

That includes running in the heats, which will reassure the public who have bought tickets to watch the athletics on Friday and Saturday night.

Perish the thought he sits out the heats on the Friday, his team-mates drop the baton or fail to qualify, and the games lose their star competitor before he has even pulled on his spikes.

Contrary to whispers and nudge nudges, Bolt also maintains he will run and not pull out in the coming days, content at least to have fulfilled his sponsors’ obligations, notably Virgin Media, to turn up for an event in which they have a significant commercial investment.

Bolt said: “It was very important for me to be here. I expressed that to my coach earlier in the season.

“I got injured so didn’t get a chance to run in the individual events but I’m happy to be in Glasgow.

“I will be running in the heats. I need the runs. This is my first run for the season so I really need to get it going. I’ve not travelled all the way to Glasgow not to compete. I’ll be running, definitely.

“I’ve always wanted to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

“In 2008 I couldn’t appear because I strained my hamstring.

“Then four years ago the competition took place in Delhi in October and the timing was bad because the world championships were coming up.

“I got injured early in this season and couldn’t make the Jamaican trials so I didn’t want to take anyone’s spot – that’s why I went for the 4x100m.

“My injury has completely gone. Fitness-wise, I’ve had a lot of training in the last month, pushed myself, and I’m in pretty good shape.

“However, I’m not yet in running shape and that’s why I’m competing in the heats.

“I don’t want to push myself too hard and pick up an injury again but I’m working towards the world championships next year and then I’ll worry about the Olympics in Rio.”

Bolt’s place in the 100m has gone to Nickel Ashmeade, who ran a sub 10 second to win at the Sainsbury’s Grand Prix at Hampden a fortnight ago.

Usain Bolt will run heats for the 4x100 with Team Jamaica

Bolt brazenly admitted he didn’t even know who would make up the relay team as he confirmed he would be staying in the athletes’ village, although not leaving his room much because even fellow athletes are likely to mob him and request photos and autographs.

In between training stints he is keen to see more of Scotland and also the games themselves – including the Reggae Girlz of Jamaican netball, who will play Scotland this morning with Bolt possibly in attendance.

The withdrawal of high-profile athletes such as Mo Farah and a string of African world and Olympic champions across the track disciplines has harmed the integrity of the competition.

But Bolt insists the games are still good and he values them highly.

He added: “There’s competition here. As long as there are athletes and eight lanes there always will be. I take every competition seriously and this is finally a chance for me to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

“I live for the fans. Every time I go on the track I try to bring energy to my running, feed off the crowd as well and put on a good show for the fans.

“I don’t believe anyone withdraws from any event on purpose. It happens at world hampionships and Olympics too, when athletes are injured.

“It’s one of those things, there are a lot of top-tier athletes still here and I’m sure they will be a good games.

“Back home, everyone talks about the Commonwealth Games and people look forward to going. I wish I had been able to take part before now.

“I’m just happy to get the chance to come and compete and the people back home in Jamaica will be watching too.”

After 18 minutes and that question about the Scottish independence debate – “I didn’t even know that” – it was time for him to go.

But after moving off towards stage left, he returned to the mike and told organisers over the PA system: “Next time, I’ll appreciate if you get my status right.”